An opal and diamond ring by the British Jeweller, John Donald, is to appear at Chiswick Auctions’ forthcoming Jewellery sale on the 21st of February. With an estimate of £5,000 – £7,000, this beautiful item of jewellery was formerly in the private collection of H.R.H. Princess Margaret.

John Donald’s designs are representative of London’s fashionable society of the 1960s and 1970s. Both Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother purchased works by the designer, having been introduced to him by the 1st Earl of Snowdon, Antony Armstrong-Jones.

Frequently topping the ‘Best Dressed’ lists, Princess Margaret was a patron of the arts, including music and ballet, and particularly artistic jewellery design. Greatly reflecting both her personal taste and keen interest in young British talent was her personal jewellery collection.

H.R.H Princess Margaret and
John Donald. Courtesy of
The Telegraph, 2015.

Following Princess Margaret’s death in 2002, her estate including her private
jewellery collection, was presented at auction in London in 2006. The auction was an
international sensation with the sale exceeding £13.7 million. Her jewels saw
particularly high demand with lots selling for far in excess of their pre-sale
estimates. This ring was one of fifteen lots by John Donald and it was sold for over
twenty times its pre-sale estimate.

John Donald

By the 1960-70s Britain was finally able to cast off the shadow of post-war austerity
and a new breed of designers, musicians and artists captured the world's attention
and patronage. Amongst these designers was a pioneering young goldsmith named
John Donald whose work quickly gained international attention.

A contemporary of the famous jeweller, Andrew Grima, and the silversmith, Gerald
Benney, Donald's work possessed a distinctive style. His style embodied freedom of
expression and innovation and his use of more unusual materials became one of his
hallmarks.

John Donald has been designing and producing jewellery for over half a century.
Now in his 80s he still accepts commissions and has a devoted following which
extends several generations in some families. Donald’s work features in the
collections of the V&A Museum, the Royal Museum in Edinburgh and in the
collections of several royal families.

In 2015, he was honoured with a retrospective exhibition at the Goldsmith's Hall and
released his autobiography - Precious Statements. John Donald: designer and
jeweller – with Russell Cassleton Elliot. He is considered one of the most collectible
British designers of the 20th century.
The Jewellery Sale will take place on Tuesday, 21st of February.
Catalogue online: 10th February.

chiswickauctions.co.uk/jewellery

How to bid 
Visiting our saleroom at 1 Colville Road, Chiswick W3 8BL, in person is always an exciting experience but if you can't make it, then you can bid online. For added convenience, you can also request a telephone bid, or indeed leave an absentee/commission bid  prior to the sale.

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February 15, 2017